The Bell V-280 has taken off the ground for the first time at Bell Helicopter’s Amarillo, Texas, facility on December 18. Spirit AeroSystems has designed and built the complete fuselage for the V-280, in just 22 months at the company's Rapid Prototype facility in Wichita, Kansas. The fuselage comprises aluminum sub-structure with composite skins.

Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. Spirit AeroSystems delivered the complete fuselage to Bell in the fall of 2015 from its Rapid Prototype facility in Wichita, Kansas.

"Spirit AeroSystems would like to congratulate Bell Helicopter and Team Valor on achieving first flight of the V-280," said Krisstie Kondrotis, senior vice president of Spirit Defense. "Spirit is a proud member of Team Valor, providing the entire fuselage for the V-280 Air Vehicle Concept Demonstrator Competitive Prototype, and we look forward to supporting Bell and the US Army to transform the future of vertical lift for all armed forces."

Spirit Defense designed and built the fuselage in just 22 months at the company's Rapid Prototype facility in Wichita, Kansas. The fuselage comprises aluminum sub-structure with composite skins.

The Bell V-280 Valor programme is part of the Joint Multi Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) initiative. The JMR-TD programme is the science and technology precursor to the Department of Defence's Future Vertical Lift Programme. Spirit is a member of Team Valor, comprising 12 companies that bring the best of industry resources to the team. (SV)